Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 54

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 15.

THURSDAY, 26TH OCTOBER, 1899.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).

His Excellency Major-General WILLIAM JULIUS GASCOIGNE, C.M.G., General Officer Commanding. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART, C. M.G.).

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the Acting Attorney General, (HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK).

the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY, R.N.),

the Colonial Treasurer, (ALEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON).

the Captain Superintendent of Police, (FRANCIS HENRY MAY, C.M.G.).

the Director of Public Works, (Robert Daly ORMSBY).

HO KAI, M.B., C.M.

THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS, C.M.G.

JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.

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WEI YUK.

*

ABSENT:

The Honourable CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, C.M.G.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 11th October, 1899, were read, amended and confirmed.

FINANCIAL MINUTE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Financial Minute, (No. 19), and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee :-

C.S.0. 2575 of 1890.

HENRY A. BLAKE.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Two thousand Dollars ($2,000) in aid of the vote "Water Account" (Meters, &c.).

Government House, Hongkong, 19th October, 1899.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee dated the 11th October, 1899, (No. 6), and moved its adoption.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question--put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.-The Director of Public Works laid on the table the Report of the Public Works Committee dated the 19th October, 1899, (No. 3).

QUESTIONS.--Mr. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:-

(1.) Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary lay on the table a statement of the revised Estimate of Revenue to be received from the New Territory for the year 1899, if any, and 1900 separately, and give the principal sources from which same is to be derived and how collected?

(2.) Will the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer lay upon the table a statement shewing the total cost of personal emoluments, pensions, and exchange compensation for the years 1895, 1896, 1897, and 1898 separately, similar to that laid before the Council dated 3rd December, 1895?

(3.) Will the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer lay upon the table a statement shewing the total Military Expenditure and contribution for Barrack Services and Defence Works sepa- rately for the last ten years, ending 31st December, 1898?

(4.) Will the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer lay upon the table a statement shewing the totul revenue and expenditure of the Post Office Department separately for the last ten years, ending 31st December, 1898?

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-In reply to the first question of the Honourable Member I beg to answer as follows: It is not possible to give accurate figures at present regarding the revenue which will be collected this year from the New Territory. As soon as the Government is in possession of the actual figures they will be published. As to the year 1900, the amount of revenue which it is estimated will be derived from the New Territory is given in the Estimates as $100,000. The revenue of the New Territory will be collected at one or two centres by the staff of the Colonial Treasurer.